Happy Holidays from Janet Nguyen

Dear readers of The Asian Republican blog:

The holiday season is a special time of the year for Orange County families to gather and appreciate the many blessings received during the passing year. Our families, our children, our jobs and good health are just some of the many reasons to celebrate this joyous holiday season. 

In the First District, 2013 marked many accomplishments. Some highlights include: improving the infrastructure and programming at Mile Square Park through the Summer Concerts in the Park Series and the Grand Re-Opening of the Mile Square Park Archery Range, which is the largest of its kind in Orange County. We were also able to serve thousands of residents who were in need of assistance through various community events, expos, workshops and job fairs, to name a few. I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who joined us and feel blessed to live in a community that is willing to give back. 

With 2014 fast approaching, we also have an opportunity to look forward to the year ahead. 2014 will kick off with the Grand Opening Haster Basin Retarding Basin, Pump Station and Recreational Field Project, which will enhance flood protection and will also offer additional recreational opportunities in the First District. An invitation will follow in the coming weeks for you to join us for the Grand Opening celebration. 

I hope that this holiday season and New Year will be filled with many blessings for you and your loved ones. My commitment to serving the residents of the First District is as firm as ever and I hope that we will be able to continue to work together to create a place where our children and families can live, work and play. 

May peace and joy be yours during this wonderful season and the coming year.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!!! 

Respectfully,

JANET NGUYEN

Supervisor, First District

Orange County Board of Supervisors  

Meet the female Asian-American GOP candidate who grew up on welfare (VIDEO)

More Asian-American Republicans running in 2014

                      

Young Kim

Young Kim is a long time community leader in North Orange County. She is running for for State Assembly. 

http://www.youngkim2014.com/

Janet Nguyen
Janet Nguyen (pronounced “Win”)  is running for a State Senate seat in the OC.
http://www.janet2014.com/

Stacy Chen - Texas
Candidate for Texas House  of Representatives - District 66.
www.StacyForTexas.com

Andy Nguyen - Texas
Candidate for Commissioner’s office of Tarrant County,  Texas
http://www.andynguyennow.com/

Dennis Nguyen  - Minnesota  
http://www.Win-With-Nguyen.com

Ron Q. Quilang 

Filipino-American candidate in 2014 for a Nevada State Senate. 

http://WWW.ELECTRONQNV.COM

Paul Tanaka

Paul is the former Undersheriff for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. He is an official candidate for Sheriff of Los Angeles County 2014.

http://www.paultanaka.com/

Alexander Kim 

Alexander Kim for Judge of Tarrant County Criminal Court #3

http://www.alexkim.com

Ohio’s first Fil-Am mayor (Republican) to take oath on Dec. 27

Ron Falconi was recently elected as Mayor of Brunswick, Ohio. He has been active with the Republican Party just about my entire adult life.  He is American of Filipino descent and we wanted to share an article about him that was recently printed in the Filipino Reporter.  
 

Mayor-elect Ronald 'Ron' Falconi and wife, Dr. Genevieve Cachuela Falconi, with their children Joseph and Angela. Filipino Reporter photo

As Ronald “Ron” Falconi gears up for his upcoming installation as the first Filipino-American mayor of the City of Brunswick in Ohio on Dec. 27, he’s also preoccupied gathering help for the victims of monster Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in his parents’ native country.

“I was born and raised in the Cleveland area, but my parents were raised in the Philippines,” the Brunswick councilman said.

“My wife and I watched the coverage of the typhoon devastation and it was just heartbreaking to see what has unfolded there.”

Read more: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/337951/pinoyabroad/news/ohio-s-first-fil-am-mayor-to-take-oath-on-dec-27
 

Indian-American Manju Goel run the US Congress

Chicago: Indian-American Manju Goel has announced her bid to seek Republican party nomination to run for a seat in the US Congress, focussing on divisive issues like "Obamacare" and the growing national debt.

Read more: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/indian-american-manju-goel-announces-candidacy-for-us-congress-416800

 Campaign site: http://www.manjuforcongress.com/

Reelect JulieMarie Shepherd to the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education.

I believe in the potential of our students and the passion and excellence of our staff in the Aurora Public Schools community.

It would be an honor to continue serving on the Board of Education. If you too believe in our students and staff and believe in my leadership, I would be honored to have your support and your vote on November 5th! Thank you for taking time to visit my website.

http://www.reelectshepherd.com/

California GOP Strengthening Ties with Asian American Communities

Placentia City Councilmember Jeremy Yamaguchi, State Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Steel

ANAHEIM — The California Republican Party will continue strengthening ties with California’s fastest-growing ethnic group in its third Asian Pacific American Roundtable at the California Republican Party Convention.

The roundtable is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel, 777 W. Convention Way in Anaheim.

Spurred by the leadership of Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Steel (the nation’s highest-ranking Korean American elected official) and California Republican Party Vice Chair Harmeet Dhillon (first Sikh American and first woman to serve in that post), more than two dozen locally elected APA Republicans will join together with party leaders to discuss ways to keep the party moving forward.

Read more: http://www.rafu.com/2013/10/california-gop-strengthening-ties-with-asian-american-communities/

Legislative Profiles: Sen. Kimberly Yee

 

Arizona State Representative Kimberly Yee is a Republican who represents Arizona's 10th Legislative District, covering the areas of North Phoenix and parts of Glendale.

Allan Fung on Allen West visit

Cranston Mayor Allan West on the visit of Congressman and retired Lt. Col. Allen West's visit for the 55th annual NKGOP's Linconl Dinner.

 

    

B.J. Pak speaking at CLPY retreat

B.J. Pak, the first Korean State Representative of Georgia, a Republican he spoke to students participating in the Civic Leadership Program for Youth during the summer leadership retreat training.

 

Rep. Barbara Marumoto speaks with Republican Patricia Fukuda "Pat" Saiki

Patricia Fukuda "Pat" Saiki (born May 28, 1930) served as a Republican in Congress from 1987 to 1991 and then as Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President of the United States George H. W. Bush.

 

Hawaii GOP: 'Republicans Will Rise Again'

One of Hollywood's great underdog stories is found in the Rocky movies starring Sylvester Stallone. David Chang, the chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, took his future bride Beth Fukumoto to see the films — all six of them.

"Americans love underdogs," Chang told party delegates at their annual convention Saturday in Kaneohe. "The bigger the hill you have to climb, the sweeter the victory. And that's Hawaii Republicans."

It's an awfully big hill to climb, like ascending Mauna Kea wearing slippers.

Read more » http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2013/05/18/19107-hawaii-gop-republicans-will-rise-again/

GOP gov hopeful Dan Rutherford taps Steve Kim as running mate

Steve Kim. (From http://www.stevekimforag.com/)

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Dan Rutherford said Monday he is choosing a suburban attorney as his lieutenant governor pick, “a hard worker, known well in Republican leadership circles” — and potentially the first Asian American to hold state office.

Read more »  http://www.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/index.html?story=22315597

Asian-American's in The Republican Party

Chairman Shalli Kumar with Chairperson Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Republicans to field 10 Indian-Americans in 2014 elections

As part of its effort to change the face of the party, diversify its base and gain the support of this cash rich community, the Republican Party is working to field 10 Indian-Americans in the 2014 Congressional elections.

Around half a dozen Indian-Americans from various field and States have been identified and currently undergoing training, before their names could be announced and made public, said Shalabh Kumar, who has been closely associated with such an effort initiated by the Republican Party.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/republicans-to-field-10-indianamericans-in-2014-elections/1148659/

"I escaped a North Korean prison camp" - Shin Dong-hyuk's Survivor Story

Shin Dong-hyuk was born inside Kaechon #14, one of the world's harshest labor camps. His parents were political prisoners, declared enemies of the state for having committed minor offenses against the North Korean regime. Shin was routinely subjected to torture and knew nothing of the outside world until his escape at the age of 23. Today he is on a mission to tell the world his story.

And to remind us of the estimated 200,000 other forced laborers currently languishing under the regime of Kim Jong-un.

China and Transportation: What We Can Learn In The United States

2013 Korean American Republican Meetup

Sin City Republican Woos Asian Vote to Curb Defections

David Becker/Getty Images

U.S. Representative Joe Heck, a Republican from Nevada, greets supporters during an election night watch party on November 6, 2012, in Las Vegas.

In a meeting with local reporters, Republican U.S. Representative Joe Heck made clear he doesn’t support a Senate-passed immigration bill in its entirety. One provision he did highlight, though, was an exemption from visa limitations for children of Filipino veterans of World War II.

As it happens, Nevada, Heck’s state, is also home to the fastest growing Filipino population in the U.S. -- and many of them live in his congressional district.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-08/sin-city-republican-woos-asian-vote-to-curb-defections.html

Hawaii Republican Party marching in the 2013 Kailua Independence Day Parade

Mahalo to all that joined us for the 2013 Kailua Independence Day Parade and those that cheered us on from the sides of the road!

                            https://www.facebook.com/PacificIslanderRepublicanLeaguePIRL?fref=ts

Mayor Allan Fung hires consultant for likely governor's campaign

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung

Cranston, R.I. (WPRI) – Cranston Mayor Allan Fung has hired a veteran Republican political operative to help craft a likely campaign for governor in 2014, WPRI.com has confirmed. 

Patrick Sweeney, who ran Republican Barry Hinckley’s unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate in 2012 and previously served as executive director of the Rhode Island GOP, was brought in on Apr. 1 as a consultant for the mayor of Rhode Island’s third-largest city.

Read more: http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/mcgowan/cranston-mayor-allan-fung-hires-consultant-for-likely-governors-campaign

The Angie Button story

                                          

Angie Chen Button is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 112. She was first elected to the chamber in 2008.

This is her story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_3sVZzo4F8

Announcing the Texas Asian Republican Assembly

The Republican Party of Texas is excited to announce the creation of the first statewide auxiliary for the growing Asian American community throughout Texas. The Texas Asian Republican Assembly (TARA) was unanimously accepted as the newest official statewide Republican Auxiliary at the second quarterly meeting of the State Republican Executive Committee, held on June 8, 2013.

The Texas Asian Republican Assembly will focus on engagement efforts with the growing Asian American population throughout Texas. We have seen over the last few elections that Asian Americans believe in the conservative values we fight for every day and are open to voting Republican. It is up to us to continue engaging with members of these communities to ensure that the conservative movement in Texas is strengthened by the increasing minority population in the state.

 

                           

 

 

We are looking forward to seeing what TARA will be able to accomplish under the leadership of former Texas State Representative Martha Wong, who will serve as President of the auxiliary. TARA had their first official meeting in Houston on June 14, 2013 with a special guest speech by Stephen Fong, National Asian and Pacific Islander Field Director for the RNC.

 

“We are excited to be an official auxiliary of the Republican Party of Texas”, states Dr. Martha Wong, former Republican State Representative in Houston and new TARA President. “We have worked all year organizing a coalition of Asian Republican clubs around the state. Becoming a partner with the RPT is a formal recognition of the growing Asian conservative voting base in our state.”Martha Wong was elected as the first Asian American City Councilwoman in Houston before becoming the first Asian American woman to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives, where she served as the Representative for Houston’s 134th District. 

 

                          

Other members of the TARA leadership include: Nghi T. Ho, Alief School Board Member; Elisa Chan, San Antonio City Councilwoman; Julie Vu, board member of the Reagan Legacy Republican Women's Club; Andy Nguyen, Tarrant County Commissioner; Ron Rohde, President of the Taiwanese Junior Chamber of Commerce; Shandon Phan, Chairman, Vietnamese American National Chamber of Commerce; Jan Kish, Member of the Texas Asian Republican Club; and Naomi Lam, Fort Bend County Precinct Chair. In addition, Texas State Representative Angie Chen Button dropped by RPT to offer her support for the new auxiliary and we are looking forward to working with her on future engagement efforts with the Asian American community.

 

                   

A special thank you goes out from the RPT to Tina Gibson, Auxiliary and Coalitions Committee Chair, for her volunteer efforts as the liaison between the RPT and our newest auxiliary members. “It has been an honor to work with the leadership of Texas Asian Republican Assembly in forming the statewide organization and in the acceptance of TARA into the Republican Party of Texas as an official auxiliary. I look forward to watching them grow and become a powerful influence for our party,” stated Gibson.

 

http://www.texasgop.org/posts/367-announcing-the-texas-asian-republican-assembly?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Republican 2013 Vietnamese American Meetup (VIDEO)

House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) hosted a Vietnamese American Meetup at the United States Capitol. The event included over 800 Vietnamese American community leaders from across the country for an open discussion with House Republicans.

Watch highlight video below:

 

RNC's Fong Speaks to Texas Asian Republican Club

A room packed with a very diverse mix of local Republicans greeted Steven Fong Friday night at Kim Son restaurant. Joining him in addressing the crowd were Steve Munisteri, Republican Party of Texas chairman and David Zapata, RPT Hispanic Outreach Director.

Candidates for elected office at all levels of government were present as well as those currently holding office. All were given a brief time to speak to the crowd. It was noted that Judge Theresa Chang and HCRP Chairman candidate Paul Simpson received especially strong support from the crowd as shown by loud applause.

Current HCRP Chairman Woodfill was not present. The meeting began with President Nghi Ho welcoming everyone followed by Dr. Martha Wong leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Texas pledge, and the National Anthem. It seemed appropriate that Martha Wong helped to open the meeting as she has been a true trailblazer in bringing the Asian American community to the Republican party, including her own service as an elected official.

Read more: http://ponderingpenguin.blogspot.com/2013/06/rncs-fong-speaks-to-texas-asian.html

Santos M Lopez: Candidate for Saugerties Town Board - New York

Santos M. Lopez is a Filipino-American Republican candidate running for Saugerties Town Board in New York.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. I believe in Low and fair Taxes, Growth of Private Industry and our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I have lived in the Hudson Valley for most of my life. I served my country as a member of the US Navy from 1986-92 and the NY State Guard from 1994-2005.

I have over 15 year experience in sales, marketing, advertising and event promotions at the local and national levels. those companies and organizations include but not limited to USMA West Point, Culinary Institute of America, Disney, IBM, Hunter Mountain and Volkswagen. I have a keen understanding in marketing and advertising and understand its importance in the growth Saugerties in business and tourism.

https://www.facebook.com/LopezSaugerties2013/

UPDATE: Santos was not successful but plans to run in 2014: The campaign says: "Thank you to all the people who supported me. Let's try again for 2014"

Could the Republican Party Win Asian-American Votes?

But what is it that has driven Asian-Americans – who favored GHWB over Dukakis in 1988 – away from the Republicans? Their current combination of SES profile and voting habits makes you (especially if you’re Jewish) think of Jews: who, it is said, combine the income level of Episcopalians with the electoral tastes of Puerto Ricans.

There’s no Asian-American equivalent of some of the forces that made Jews enthusiastic Democrats: the influx of Jewish social democrats after the 1848 revolutions in Europe and the impacts of Zionism (which used to be a socialist movement), the labor movement (especially the ILGWU) and the urban political machines. But there are important parallels: most Asian-Americans (except for Koreans and Philipinos) aren’t Christians; they’re historic targets of intolerance; and (again with exceptions) they share a Confucian tradition that puts as high a value on learning as the Talmudic tradition. 

Read more: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/ten-miles-square/2013/06/could_the_republican_party_win045276.php?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Harris County Republican Party rejects supremely qualified Asian-American

This is why Dems think they can turn TX blue. 

Harris County Republican Party has rejected a supremely qualified Asian-American Conservative

Deja vu all over again with the Harris County Republican Party Vacancy Committee. In April, their Taliban philosophy caused them to reject a gay candidate for precinct chair. This month, it caused them to table the application of a supremely qualified Asian-American, which in turn caused the candidate to withdraw his application. He’s too invested in the Republican Party to leave it and he will still promote the Republican brand but it is a shame that HCRP Chair Jared Woodfill supports this committee.

Here’s the deal. Nghi Ho is a four-term Alief ISD Board member. He is a veteran, having served as a Lieutenant in Navy in the first Gulf War. A graduate of the University of Texas. A successful small business owner. A few of his community positions:

• Vice President:  Alief I.S.D. Board of Trustees
• Vice President:  Alief Noon Lions Club
• Director:  West Houston Medical Center, a HCA Hospital
• Past Director:  Houston West Chamber of Commerce
• Past Director:  Asian Chamber of Commerce
• Past Director:  Crestwater Subdivision H.O.A.
• Past Director:  Alief Education Foundation
• Member:  Alief Community Association

Continue Reading: http://www.bigjollypolitics.com/2013/06/14/harris-county-republican-party-rejects-supremely-qualified-asian-american/ …"

Ying Ma on Life Under Mao and China's Economic Miracle

Irene Kim Asbury For NJ State Committeewoman - June 4, 2013 Primary Election

CANDIDATES FOR THE JUNE 4, 2013 PRIMARY ELECTION

UPDATE: Irene was elected the new Secretary of the New Jersey Republican Party!

North Bergen, NJ - Attorney Irene Kim Asbury, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in her North Bergen office. JASON TOWLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

New Jersey's primary election is tomorrow and Irene Kim Asbury, a Jersey attorney, is running for NJ State Committeewoman. From the Republican National Lawyers Association:

The principal national organization of Conservative Republican lawyers, Ms. Asbury has a solo law practice in North Bergen, New Jersey and is the municipal prosecutor for the town of West New York. She has previously represented the Republican Party as State Legislative Redistricting Commissioner and delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention. She is currently serves the GOP as New Jersey State Committeewoman, a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Phoenix/Jersey City Campus, and the Hudson County Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. In International Studies and received her law degree from Seton Hall School of Law

If she wins she will be the next Secretary of the NJGOP!

Support Mayor Allan W. Fung

About Mayor Fung

Honorable Allan W. Fung

Allan W. Fung is the Mayor of Cranston, the third largest city in Rhode Island.  Elected in 2008, Fung made Rhode Island history by becoming the first Asian-American Mayor in the state.  From 2003 to 2007, Fung was a City-Wide Councilman.

Since taking office in January 2009, Mayor Fung has accomplished a number of his ambitious objectives.  He has boosted economic development by supporting existing businesses and by bringing in over 400 new jobs to Cranston.  He has reduced the city’s operational expenses and continues to explore consolidation and other savings initiatives with other municipalities.  He was the first Mayor in the state to successfully negotiate pension reform with a major union by replacing the costly defined benefits pension system with a defined contribution plan.  Committed to community engagement, Fung has held town hall meetings so that he can have a continuing dialogue with his residents and to respond to neighborhood concerns.

Before becoming Mayor, Fung served as Government Relations Counsel for MetLife from 2001-2009, a prosecutor in the RI Department of Attorney General from 1999-2001 and a litigation associate with Mandell, Schwartz & Boisclair from 1996-1999.

Fung graduated from Rhode Island College and Suffolk University Law School and also completed the Leadership Rhode Island program.  Fung was the former Chairman of the Rhode Island Governor’s Insurance Council and is the current Chairman of the Board of the Rhode Island Association of Chinese Americans.  He also serves on the board of the Rhode Island College Alumni Association, Rhode Island Mayoral Academies and the Thurgood Marshall Law Society.

http://www.allanfung.com/home

Two IRS offices targeted Hawaii GOP leader at the same time

In what former Republican executive and activist Dylan Nonaka is calling a massive invasion of privacy that suggests a coordinated effort to target conservative groups, two IRS offices last year independently and simultaneously conducted costly audits and sought tea party-related training materials that they apparently believed could be tied to Nonaka.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/18/records-show-irs-officials-independently-targeted-conservative-training-materials-in-pretty-big-invasion-of-privacy/#ixzz2TplzAmAp

Michelle Steel Kicks Off Orange County Supervisor Campaign

The following information was released by Michelle Ssteel for Supervisor 2014.

Today, Michelle Steel kicked off her campaign for the Second District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The seat is currently held by John Moorlach, who is prohibited from running for reelection due to term limits.

“I am running for Orange County Supervisor because I love and care about the community I live in,” said Michelle Steel, who lives in Surfside and is the leading candidate to replace Moorlach. “In these tough economic times,” continued Steel, “and as governments on all levels are struggling to tighten their belts while preserving excellent service, I believe that my experience as one of California’s fiscal officers, and an advocate for taxpayers, will help keep Orange County on a strong path for economic freedom and sound public policy.”

Michelle Steel has built a reputation as a tough advocate for taxpayers and small businesses on the California Board of Equalization and is currently serving as the Board’s Vice Chair. Representing Orange County for the past six years, she kicks off her campaign boasting an impressive list of campaign co-chairmen.

“I am so thankful and honored to have the support of Orange County’s most trusted leaders, including District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, and former Assemblyman Jim Silva, who have all agreed to serve as honorary co-chairmen for my campaign,” said Michelle Steel.

The election to fill the open Second District Supervisor seat will take place next year on June 3, 2014.

https://www.facebook.com/TaxfighterMichelleSteel

Pictures: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebrated at The Republican National Committee

The Republican National Committee hosted a reception Wednesday, May 15, in Los Angeles to recognize and celebrate the Asian Pacific American community. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus spoke briefly at the reception held at The Dragon Restaurant. Nicole Jabson sang the National Anthem on behalf of PIRL, and the group was well represented by some of its L.A. base members. Stay tuned for other events in which you can participate in your particular location.

Michelle Steel introducing the Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus to the Asian Pacific American community — at The Dragon Restaurant.

Members of PIRL, Niki Jabson (who sang the National Anthem) and L.A. County Party leadership. — with Mell Flynn and Mark Vafiades at Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Los Angeles.



Gathering with Filipina Republican leaders, Young Kim (who attended Barrigada Jr. High in Guam), Susan Lee, and Thelma Hechanova. — with Dennis J. Santo Tomas at Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Los Angeles.



 

More pictures online at  Pacific Islander Republican League (PIRL)

Associated Press: "North Korea sentences American to 15 years' labor"

Seoul, South Korea (AP) — A Korean American detained for six months in North Korea has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for "hostile acts" against the state, the North's media said Thursday — a move that could trigger a visit by a high-profile American if history is any guide. Kenneth Bae, a Washington state man described by friends as a devout Christian and a tour operator,  is at least the sixth American detained in North Korea since 2009.

The others eventually were deported  or released without serving out their terms, some after trips to Pyongyang by prominent Americans,  including former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.http://news.yahoo.com/north-korea-sentences-american-15-years-labor-035931247.html 

Asian Republican Elected Officials & Candidates

President of South Korea Park Geun-Hye Addresses a Joint Session of Congress

Sandy Spackman for San Diego City Council

Sandy Spackman immigrated to the United States from Laos in 1976 when she was just 10 years old. Her family fled Laos to escape persecution and possible death at the hands of the communist government that took over Laos at the end of the Vietnam War. Like many immigrants before her, she feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to come to the U.S. to seek and live the American dream.

 After a couple of years in the Pacific Northwest, Sandy’s family settled in San Diego, where she has lived ever since. She grew up in a modest home near Market Street. She attended local public schools, including Chollas Elementary, Pershing Junior High, Crawford High, and Southwestern College. In 1989 she took a break from school to start a family. She and her husband, Howard Spackman, raised a wonderful family of 4 children. After her children grew older, Sandy re-enrolled at San Diego State University, graduated with a degree in education in 2008, and taught in local public schools for 4 years.

 She currently works as an Assistant at SPAWAR Systems Center where she recently was recognized for organizing a facility for nursing mothers on the job. She also currently serves as President of the Lao American Coalition (LAC), a dynamic local non-profit organization (non-profit status pending) which provides health awareness, leadership training, and civic engagement, as well as representation of the Laos community within San Diego. Having lived most of her life in the 4th District, Sandy knows and understands the people in this community and the challenges that face the District.

Having experienced the struggles an immigrant faces (learning a new language, facing discrimination and bullying in High school, struggling with poverty, and being unaware of available resources) she brings a perspective shared by many of the 4th District constituents. As a community leader and a strong advocate for the 4th District, she knows how to bring people together for a common purpose. Her vision is clear and her voice is strong that the 4th District deserves the resources equal to any of the eight other San Diego Council districts.

http://www.sandyspackman.org/about.html

Interview with Sandy Spackman for City Council

Mr. Cao Goes to Washington: A Documentary Film

Rookie congressman Joseph Cao of Louisiana angers fellow Republicans by befriending President Obama, then he alienates the President by voting with the Republicans against Health Care Reform. Will bipartisanship reward or ruin his chances for re-election?

Produced &Directed by S. Leo Chiang (A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES) A Center for Asian American Media production in association with Walking Iris Media.

Opening 2 minutes for the new doc MR. CAO GOES TO WASHINGTON - http://facebook.com/mrcaofilm http://mrcaofilm.com

WATCH THE ENTIRE FILM:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2319196960/
 

The GOP’s Asian-American Fiasco

If you are trying to figure out why the Republicans lost this presidential election and why they will probably continue to lose more in the future, forget for a second Latino voters (well, only for a second) and think for a few minutes about Asian-American voters.

In fact, let’s think about them strategically. Say you are a Republican politico who is analyzing the economic status, social mobility, and cultural disposition of various demographic groups and the voting behavior of their members.

And here is this bloc of voters who, let’s see, tend to gravitate to the private sector with many of them creating and managing small businesses. Actually, some of them belong to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, and most are doing quite well in terms of income and job security. They also are very family-oriented and subscribe to more traditional values.

Based on these and other social and economic indications, Asian-Americans as an electoral bloc should be natural political ally of a Republican Party that is, after all, committed to the principles of the free market, supports the interests of small businesses, and celebrates hard work and family values, which is probably the way to describe what Asian-Americans are all about.

Read more: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-gops-asian-american-fiasco/

Asian-American Republican Women

3 Reasons School Choice is Growing

Universal Health Care for the Ownership Society

Sooner or later, Republicans will be forced to offer a pragmatic alternative to the Affordable Care Act. We haven’t done this because health care is a miserable political swamp for the GOP. It forces us out of our comfort zone, leaving us to confront problems that do not yield to our favorite, market-driven solutions. We can’t put this off forever. We need to move past slogans and build a plan.

The fundamental problem with health care as a market is that the “consumers” in a medical marketplace are typically ill, sometimes seriously so. A patient’s vulnerability creates a coercive effect which ruins the price-setting mechanisms of a market. This means that the tools we love most in other scenarios fail us here.

We can’t simply stand pat. Our current system is an escalating disaster. It is vastly more expensive than anything found elsewhere in the world. Its costs fall heavily on businesses ($500bn a year) and local governments ($400bn a year). Our system chains families to an employer, since individual coverage is grotesquely expensive.

Employers are groaning under spectacular costs, while retirement is being priced out of reach by the dangers of medical costs. And this system punishes the activity that our economy most needs – entrepreneurship.

The Affordable Care Act takes the existing model and buries it in a blizzard of bureaucracy. It mandates individual coverage without creating any realistic method of making it affordable. It retains our dependence on employment-based insurance while creating burdens on business which will cost millions of Americans their coverage. It is less a solution than a crisis engineered to force a solution.

Occupy thug calls Michelle Rhee 'Asian b-tch'

 

 

A recent occupy protest at the Department of Education turned ugly when one protester, a public teacher, called school choice champion Michelle Rhee an “Asian bitch.”

 

The protest last week was part of a week-long series of events organized by a group called Occupy DOE 2.0. Members oppose the education agenda of reformers like Rhee, and want federal policy to de-emphasize standardized tests, which have recently become a rallying point for teachers unions.

Ceresta Smith, a teacher in Miami-Dade County, called Rhee “an Asian bitch.” Later, she said that her language was extreme, but appropriate.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/04/10/occupy-thug-calls-michelle-rhee-asian-bitch/#ixzz2QHahpxax

GOP hires two to boost Asian-American outreach

The Republican National Committee is stepping up its outreach to Asian-American and Pacific Islander voters, as it becomes increasingly apparent that they’re a crucial swing vote in battleground states and districts across the nation.

They’re trying to catch up with Democrats, and polls show the GOP needs to move fast as AAPI voters have been leaning more and more heavily toward Democratic candidates.
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus today announced Stephen Fong as the committee’s national Asian and Pacific Islander field director and Jason Chung as its national communications director for Asian and Pacific Islander engagement.

Priebus said Fong – a longtime Republican operative originally from California, and a former president of the San Francisco Log Cabin Republicans – “brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, particularly at the grassroots level, which will be invaluable in building our new and unprecedented community-based field operation to engage with all voters.”

Read more: http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2013/04/09/gop-hires-two-to-boost-asian-american-outreach/

Ken Yang for Arkansas State Auditor

Ken is a native of Benton, Arkansas, and first generation immigrant of Taiwan. His father fled China in 1949 during the Communist Revolution and later with Ken’s mother immigrated to the United States in 1983.

Ken’s parents are owners of a Chinese restaurant in Arkansas and he was taught at an early age the value of hard work. It has allowed Ken to live and pursue the American Dream to this day.

Ken graduated from Benton High School summa cum laude and lettered in high school tennis.

Ken’s immense love and passion for politics and helping people grew with his participation of Arkansas Governor’s School, an invitation to the National Model United Nations for high school students, and an internship at the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. He would later serve as the Saline County District Court case coordinator at the Prosecutor’s office at the age of 20.

Ken went on to attend Hendrix College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and was presented with an Outstanding Leadership and Service award. He also was an academic honors athlete and lettered in NCAA III tennis.

Following college, Ken was offered the position of Campaign Manager for then State Representative Mark Martin’s campaign for Arkansas Secretary of State at the age of 21. In this capacity, Ken spearheaded volunteer organization, coalition outreach, fundraising, and communications strategy for the campaign. He was also  a key surrogate for Martin.

Ken’s efforts steered the campaign to an historic victory. Mark Martin became the 1st Republican Secretary of State elected in Arkansas since Reconstruction.

During the 2012 election cycle, Ken joined Newt 2012 as a key member of the national field team with which he traveled to six different states. Ken served as the State Field Director for Ohio and Alabama, staffing the Speaker and top surrogates and managing the field team. Once the Republican primary season ended, Ken was hired on as part of the Romney Victory Field Staff in Ohio. His office consistently led the state in direct voter contact with phone calls made and doors knocked. This would later warrant visits to his office from Governor Romney, Congressman Ryan, and Senator Rubio.

Ken currently handles Governmental Affairs at Arkansas Family Council, an organization of 10,000 families and churches throughout Arkansas with a mission of promoting, protecting, and strengthening traditional family values. He is a Senior Advisor to American Pride Strategies.

http://votekenyang.com/meet-ken-yang/

Dr. Kai Zhang, Carving a Niche as a Unique Coalition Builder

In 2008, Zhang felt it was time to organize Chinese Americans who were of the same political persuasion and work for the common good. He worked with Jim Cheng (now Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade), Tony Yeh and many Chinese Americans to establish the Chinese American Republicans Virginia Association or CARVA. 

He was elected the first president of the association. The organization is affiliated with the State Republic organization, and is directly under the leadership of the Republican party of Virginia.

It is the first Chinese political organization of its kind in the nation, with a clear mission to promote political participation and promote Asian community interests. It has been successful in bringing together Chinese Americans from Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China, and in working together for common interests and benefits for the community.

CARVA helps promote other Chinese communities through cultural, commercial or social events. It has worked with the Asian Community Festival, Chinese Traditional Dancing Groups, the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce, Americans of Taiwan Origin, Chinese Sunday Schools and other regional organization. 

 

  Remarked CARVA President Tony Yeh: “He was able to unite Chinese Americans in this region who from different parts of the world and with different backgrounds to work together as a united political force, and provide influence to the regional politics process.”

 

Robert S. Wertz, Jr., Commissioner of the Revenue for Loudoun County, Virginia has known Dr. Zhang for about a decade. “He has helped numerous Republican candidates on the local, state and national levels as a grassroots volunteer.”

He added: “In all my dealings with Kai, he has been diligent, friendly, and unassuming. His interest in service is not for personal gain, but to make the community and Commonwealth a better place to live and work. I have always viewed Kai as a peacemaker, one who looks for common ground to solve problems. He doesn’t sacrifice his beliefs for the sake of consensus, but treats everyone respect.”

Read more: http://www.asianfortunenews.com/article_0412.php?article_id=22

Democrat 'Racial slurs' aimed at Asian Republican wife draw McConnell's ire

Source: AP 

WINCHESTER, Kentucky (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell lambasted a liberal group on Saturday for criticizing the Asian heritage of his wife, former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, calling its Twitter messages "racial slurs" and "the ultimate outrage."

McConnell forcefully defended Chao, who was born in Taiwan and who moved to the U.S. as an 8-year-old with her family aboard a freight ship.

"They will not get away with attacking my wife in this campaign," McConnell told about 100 home-state supporters at a Republican dinner in Winchester. "This woman has the ear of (at)McConnellPress — she's his (hash)wife," the group Progress Kentucky tweeted on Feb. 14. "May explain why your job moved to (hash)China!"

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/03/02/mcconnell-chao-twitter-kentucky/1959635/

Harmeet K. Dhillon for Vice Chair of the California Republican Party

As a lifelong conservative our party MUST win again.  Conservative fiscal values and principles of individual liberty and responsibility will only return to California through the Republican party.  As a small business owner, I want to see California’s economic freedoms restored and taxpayers protected."
 

Harmeet Dhillon was born in Chandigarh, India in the home of a physician. She moved to America at the age of two, living throughout the United States and making her proud to become an American citizen.  As a first generation immigrant who has lived in the Bronx, rural North Carolina, Washington DC and now California, she has gathered a special collection of life experiences that shaped her character, conservative beliefs and American patriotism.


In 2005, Dhillon was elected to the San Francisco County Republican Central Committee.  In 2008, she enthusiastically ran for State Assembly in the eastern half of San Francisco making history as the first Indian American major party nominee for state office in California history. She ran an aggressive campaign, receiving nearly double the vote of GOP registration in one of the most liberal districts in California.  During her campaign,  Dhillon met her husband Sarvjit, a retired nuclear engineer who worked for the Public Utilities Commission after starting nuclear power plants around the country. 

In 2011, after Dhillon was elected Chair of the San Francisco Republican Party, Dhillon and her husband sailed to their own wedding on Angel Island, and were married by a Republican judge. In 2012, she started her own small business, manufacturing and selling California made yarn, inspired by her husband who wanted to purchase products made in California.  Through her small business and her law firm she has created economic opportunity for Californians and knows the challenges job creators face every day from oppressive regulation and taxation.

http://www.dhillonforcrp.com/